Bulldogs look for better execution against Hereford

By SKIP LEON Skip.Leon@hearstnp.com

Published 11:27 am, Thursday, October 1, 2015

Photo: Skip Leon/Plainview Herald

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Plainview defensive end J'ryn Vela gets low to trip up a Caprock runner during a game earlier this season. The Bulldogs had four takeaways against Dumas last week and will look to continue their strong defensive play at Hereford Friday night. less

Plainview defensive end J'ryn Vela gets low to trip up a Caprock runner during a game earlier this season. The Bulldogs had four takeaways against Dumas last week and will look to continue their strong ... more

Photo: Skip Leon/Plainview Herald

Bulldogs look for better execution against Hereford

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With a little better execution on both sides of the ball, Plainview (2-3) could easily be sitting above .500 instead of under that mark as they head into their final non-district game at Hereford Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs didn’t get some things done and were edged by Dumas, 17-14, on a field goal with 91 seconds left in the game.

Execution is the name of the game for the Dogs this week.

“I think execution will be the biggest message we want to get across to them,” Plainview coach Ryan Rhoades said. “We need to execute better offensively and defensively. I think our defense played well. But (Dumas) had a drive or two where they could have made a difference. And we had a drive or two where we could have made a difference. We’re going to do all we can to make sure we execute the plays and the defenses we have called.”

The Bulldog defense had four takeaways against Dumas. But the Dumas defense had three takeaways from Plainview.

“We’ve got to protect the ball better,” Rhoades said. “I think if we had kept our total down to zero and take away the four, we probably would have won that games. Sometimes, lessons are learned hard.”

It was a hard lesson which the Bulldogs aren’t happy with. But they’ve come back with determination this week.

“We had as good a Monday practice as we’ve had this year,” Rhoades said. “I thought it was really crisp. I think our guys don’t’ like that feeling of playing as hard as they did and not getting the victory. I think we’re fairly determined to not let that happen again.

“I’m proud of how our kids played. I thought that was a great high school football game. I’m sure people will talk about it for years to come. Nobody deserved to lose that game. I thought both teams played as hard as they possibly could.”

Rhoades said right after the game that he thought it was the defining moment of his team’s season. He still feels that way.

“I think it was a tipping point of our season,” the coach said. “And our kids will show what they’ve decided to be this Friday against Hereford. We’re either going to get a lot better really quick or we’re going to get worse. I think Dumas was the wake-up call we needed, because we played with great effort and we didn’t quite get the job done. And they’ve got to look and say, ‘why did that happen?’ Part of it is we’ve got to get better practice habits. If (Monday) was any indication, we’re well on our way to having those.”

Plainview will take on a Hereford team that is 2-2 this season and is coming off their bye week. Rhoades said his defense will have to adjust to the Whitefaces’ multiple formations on offense.

“They’re going to be a counter-running team with the guard and tackle,” Rhoades said. “They still do that. They still do the slip screens on the edge. As far as formations, they’re much more diverse than they’ve been. They run a lot of empty sets, double tight end empty sets, which is kind of unusual. But as far as scheme goes, a lot of it is the same as they’ve always done. They want to be fairly balanced, run and pass.”

Rhoades said it’s important for the Bulldog defense to recognize Hereford’s formation and adjust quickly.

“I think we have to be aggressive, but we have to be simple,” Rhoades said. “Because with a team that multiple with its formations, you don’t want to get confused as to how to align. That’s when big plays happen. So, our kids have to be really cognizant of how to align to their formation and then be able to play aggressive to them.”

Rhoades said one of Hereford’s key players is receiver Brevin Walker. He said a lot of the Herd’s offense revolves around the 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior.

“He’s a good receiver for them,” Rhoades said. “I would say he’s their go-to guy. When they have to have something, that’s who they try to get it to or a combination with him involved in the route somewhere, whether he’s a decoy or part of the read where they’re going to read what people do to him and get it to somebody else.”

Rhoades said the Hereford defense was in a four-man front their first three games, but switched it up some against Big Spring in their last game.

“The first three games they were in an even front defense, kind of how they’ve been the past few years,” Rhoades said. “They shade one way or another on the guards and are very aggressive with four down linemen and four linebackers. And then, against Big Spring they went to what Hereford used to run back when Coach (Craig) Yenzer was there (in the late 1990s). It’s what I call the Arizona flex defense which Arizona played when Teddy Bruschi was there (in the early 1990s).”

Rhoades described the defense.

“It’s a five-man front with a flex tackle that is in a two-point stance about two yards off the ball,” he explained. “He’s not really a linebacker. He’s not really a D-lineman. He’s halfway in between. It’s very tough against the run, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they used it against us. We’ll prepare for both defenses.”

Plainview has had injuries and little nicks pile up over the past few weeks. Some players hurt Friday night against Dumas will be back in action. Some who were previously injured won’t play. And the status of some are up in the air.

Rhoades said quarterback Wranglers Haresnape, who has been out the past two games with a chipped bone in his ankle, was re-evaluated. But it’s still questionable on whether he’ll be able to play this week.

“He’s been re-evaluated and he’s slowly being released to some activity,” Rhoades said.

The coach added that all the players who were nicked up Friday have practiced this week and are ready for action.

Jayton Ellis was helped off the field after taking a big hit on a punt return in the fourth quarter against Dumas. But he’s back at practice and a go for this week.

Offensive guard Crystin Baston came out of the game in the first half with what was thought to be a concussion. But there was no sign of one, Rhoades said.

“We thought he had a concussion,” Rhoades said. “But he went to the doctor on Saturday and there were no concussion symptoms at all. He’s practicing.”

Junior running back Trendan Jackson is still battling a sprained ankle and could be limited once again.

“We’re trying to keep him as healthy as possible,” Rhoades said. “If we had a preference, we’d probably not play him this week and get him completely healthy for Abilene Cooper (first district game Oct. 16).”

Fullback Christian Tijerina has a broken collarbone and will miss multiple games. He was on the sidelines in street clothes wearing a cast during the Dumas game.

“He’s going to have another three or four weeks before he even has a chance of coming back,” Rhodes said.

Defensive end Beaux Bennett sat out the last game with a knee injury and will not play this week.

“He’s going to be re-evaluated this week,” Rhoades said. “He sprained his knee. We expect to have him back for Abilene Cooper.”

Despite the injuries, Rhoades said the Bulldogs are ready to bring it against Hereford.

“I think we’re going to give Hereford the absolute best shot we can give them,” Rhoades said. “They’re a good team. Coach (Don) DeLozier does a good job. We better come ready to play. And I think we will. I think we’ve turned a corner. I don’t think our kids like how Dumas ended. Our coaches didn’t either.”

So, with somewhat of a chip on their shoulder, Plainview will look to play hard and physical against Hereford.

“We’ve got to work hard on being more physical than we have been,” Rhoades said. “Dumas was a very physical game. I think both sides were very physical. I think that needs to be our calling card. We’re going to be a very physical football team on both sides of the ball.”